Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
LATIN AMERICA Chapter 8: Physical Geography and Climate Latin Am. – located in Western Hemisphere Land area of about 8 million square miles 16% of earth’s land surface Usually divided into three areas – Middle America, the Caribbean, and South America Middle America – Mexico and 7 countries of Central America Caribbean (West Indies) – three groups: the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the Lesser Antilles South America – continent of 13 countries Mountains and Plateaus Mountains begin in North America as Rocky Mountains and change names as you move south Mexico – Sierra Madres Central America – Central Highlands South America – Andes Mountains Very rugged landscape due to the area sitting on Pacific Ring of Fire – plates collide here Mountains and Plateaus Sierra Madres surround the Mexican plateau Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre del Sur Andes – world’s longest mountain range @ 4,500 miles long peaks rising more than 20,000 feet above sea level Home to early civilizations (Inca) Andes are cordilleras mountain ranges that run parallel to each other Sierra Madre Oriental Cordilleras Andes Mountains Andes from Patagonia Andes from a plane – Cordilleras! Hike the trails of the Incans Plains Llanos – A grassy, near treeless plain used for ranching/farming in Venezuela and Colombia Pampas -Vast grasslands of Argentina and Uruguay used by the gaucho for ranching region is one of the world’s major “breadbaskets” produce great amounts of wheat Llanos Pampas Region Chaco (Gran Chaco) – A grassland plain of Paraguay, used for grazing cattle Atacama Desert – bone dry desert of Chile Mato Grosso Plateau – an area in the interior of Brazil that is hilly and has plateaus, cattle ranching Brazilian Highlands – Coffee production Water Systems Most of the major rivers of region are in South America One exception is the Rio Grande (Mexico/USA border) Amazon is the Western Hemisphere’s longest river, world’s second longest 4,000 miles long ○ 10 times the volume of the Mississippi Many smaller rivers join the Amazon forming the Amazon Basin drains much of continent Rio Grande River Amazon River Amazon Basin Low lying area that drains much of Brazil Amazon Wildlife The Amazon is also home to extreme creatures The Anaconda - biggest snake & crushing power Piranha - most ferocious Pirarucu – largest freshwater fish - Up to a length of 15 ft! Anaconda Piranha Piranha Clip Water Systems Continued Second largest water system in region – Pirana, Paraguay, and Uruguay Rivers they provide hydroelectric power for many countries they flow into an estuary – area where tide meets a river current (Rio de la Plata) Satellite Photos of Rio de la Plata Rio de la Plata – an estuary located where the Parana R. empties into the Atlantic Montevideo Buenos Aires Lakes Few large lakes in region Highest navigable lake – Lake Titicaca (12,500 feet above sea level) Located between Peru and Bolivia many ruins from early civilizations located around here Lake Titicaca Lakes Continued Lake Maracaibo South Am. largest lake even though it’s an inlet to Caribbean Sea many important oil fields in area Satellite photo of Lake Maracaibo Lake Maracaibo Patagonia – a rugged area in southern Chile and Argentina (tip of the Andes Mts.) Strait of Magellan – shipping short cut on the southern tip of South America, protected waters Cape Horn – The very southern tip of South America, “Rounding the Cape” Tierra del Fuego – Rugged area located on the southern tip of South America Falkland Islands – a group of islands off of Argentina claimed by England (War) Galapagos Islands – Think Darwin Climate Diverse climates in Latin America Much of region in Tropics Elevation Tropical Regions Southern Mexico, eastern Central Am., Caribbean Islands, parts of S. America Tropical Wet Lush vegetation - tropical deciduous & coniferous trees form canopy (up to 130’ and blocks sunlight) ○ Amazon rainforest = world’s largest covers 1/3 of S. America Variety of plant and wildlife Soils leached due to high precipitation totals – no dry season Climate continued Tropical Dry Vegetation = vast tropical grasslands with sparsely populated tropical deciduous trees High precipitation totals but extended dry season changes landscape Soils are leached Humid Subtropical most of S.E. S. America Winters are short and mild, Summers are long, hot & humid High precipitation totals Desert and Steppe Northern Mexico, coastal Peru & Chile, S.E. coast of Argentina Rain shadow effect from Andes Atacama Desert (less than 10”) Steppe area hot summers, cool winters and light rainfall (10”-20”) Vegetation = deep root systems, thick bark and leaves to survive harsh climate Marine West Coast Southwest coast near tip of South America Not much seasonal change High precipitation totals due to winward side of rain shadow effect Vertical Climate Zones Climate most affected by elevation in this region Five Spanish terms used throughout region to describe vertical climate zones 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Tierra caliente tierra templada tierra fria Puna tierra helada Agriculture Although ¾ of Latin Am people live in cities, most countries still depend on agriculture for major part of income Export much of what is produced ○ Bananas, sugarcane, coffee For centuries, farmland has been unevenly distributed Small group of wealthy land owners and campesinos (rural farmers) Latifundia – large estates owned by wealthy families or corporations Minifundia – small plots of land intensively farmed by campesinos to feed their familes Rarely owned by campesinos The system of latifundia and minifundia are gradually breaking down Farmers leaving for cities, reform minded governments, etc. Agriculture Many cash crops grown in Latin America Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia – among leading producers of coffee Central America, Jamaica, Honduras, Ecuador, and Brazil – major producers of bananas Brazil and Cuba – world leading producers of sugarcane Large scale commercial producers benefit mostly Population 525 million people in region 9% of world population Native Americans Mexico, C. America, & Andes region of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia Heavy European influence Mostly Spanish and Portugese Argentina & Uruguay – known as immigrant nations Asians – came as temporary workers 50% Guyana of Asian descent Chinese – Peru, Mexico, & Cuba Japanese – Brazil & Peru Africans came as slaves in 1500s Mostly Caribbean & Brazil Population Population density varies throughout region S. America population on “populated rim” Ecuador = most densely populated in S. America (118ppsm) Large land areas are factor (Brazil = 52ppsm) Caribbean countries very densely populated Barbados = 1620 ppsm Migration Latin America experiences a large outflow of people Desire better living conditions, political freedom, etc. Internal Migration Move from rural to urban Most people live in urban areas Megacities = more than 10 million people ○ Four cities rank in top 20 world wide – Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, & Buenos Aires Global Migration Language Spanish is primary language in most countries in region Others Brazil = Portugese French Haiti & Martinique English Jamaica, Belize and Guyana Many different dialects spoken Millions speak Native American languages Mayan dialects Tupi-Guarani in Paraguay & Brazil Aymara in Bolivia, Quechua in Ecuador, Peru, & Bolivia Many Latin Americans are bilingual Religion Largely Christian Roman Catholic – 82% (454,105,000 followers) Protestant – 8.6% Non-Christian – 3.5% Nonreligious – 2.9% Many practice Syncretism Blending of beliefs & practices from different religions into a single faith Ex = many worship at Cathedrals on Sunday but pray to nature deities during the week Voodoo practiced areas such as Haiti & Dominican Republic Guadalupe Cathedral in Mexico City